Thinking Ahead

Blessed New-Year greetings to each and every one!

God was sure generous to us in 2016.  This year (2017)
promises ongoing JOY and PEACE to those who continue
to abide (since having been born anew, spiritually) in
Jesus Christ - Creator (of all things), Sustainer, Savior
and  soon-coming  King of kings and Lord of lords.

One blessing of 2017 is found in His prophetic Word, a
word which gives sweet insight to those of us who are 
wise - and to those who are child-like in faith - and humble
in relationship to allowing Father God to lead.

Speaking of prophetic insight, we've recently UPDATED
our handouts on our "The Rapture Gathering.com" site.
The PDFs posted on The Final Trumpet Rapture Gathering
page are helpful in  looking and thinking ahead.

CLICK HERE

Father God, as Your adopted children in Your holy Son,
Jesus Christ, please receive our thanksgivings and praises
as we express them anew this year.  As always, we come
before You through Your Gift to us:  Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen

____________________

Week of 1/9-13  (B2;17)

But What Does It SAY? *

[ Note:  Our radio broadcasts are now Mp3 posted online:  Click Here ]

We're entering a six-month radio series (on KPDQ, True 
Talk Radio - as guests of Heart of the Savior Ministries) on
Building Biblical End-Time Perspective.

Our introductory broadcasts (this week) address the
Truth Foundation upon which we build our end-time view.
The foundation we're suggesting is this:  The Word of God!
No surprise here.    :-)

Many  end-time viewpoints base their chronologies on
assumptions, ones NOT taught in Scripture.  This is (and
will prove to be in the days yet future) CATASTROPHIC!

Our end-time  house  must be built upon a true foundation!
Again, no surprise here given our many appeals through our
web sites.

Join us for this radio series as we address II Thes. 2,
Matthew 24 & 25 and the books of Daniel and Revelation.

If you wish to catch the live Saturday broadcasts, go to
www.truetalk800.com.  Here are the "live" airing times:

January 14 at 10:30 (PT)    This introductory session addresses
                                            the basis upon which we build our
                                            view.  (also broadcasting on 93.9 FM
                                            at 2:00 PM [PT] on Thursday, 1/12)

February 11 at 10:30 (PT)    The first passage we're addressing is
                                              II Thes. 2 - awesome insight provided!
                                              (also broadcasting on 93.9 FM at
                                              2:00 PM [PT] on Thursday, 2/9)

Father, in Your mercy and grace, THANK YOU for allowing us
the privilege of Ambassadoring truthfully on Your behalf!  May
You use these broadcasts for Your eternal Kingdom purposes,
unto Your glory and praise.  Thank You so!  We love you because
You first loved us.  Blessed be Your holy name!  Amen

*  For interesting examples of the battle (that is, warfare) on
    this topic of allowing the Word of God to say what it actually
    says,  CLICK HERE.

____________________

Week of 1/16-20  (B3;17) 

Another Instrument Of Deceit?

Certain errors of the  meta-narrative  (or paradigm) of
Postmodernity continue to express themselves.

We - a university student and I - heard some of the 
errors of the relative truth language games just recently
as we talked with a philosophy instructor.  The professor
would affirm a theological journal article which embraces
the errors within the presupposition of  Reader Response,
or what the  article*  calls "reader response criticism."

Simply put, the article  denies at worst / belittles at best, the
idea that the author intends to communicate to his/her readers
(in the case of our campus experience, HIS message).  God
has a message for open-minded readers and His intent is for
His  message to be listened to.

Instead of this common sense approach (which allows the
author the appropriate voice), the contradictory perspective
of the Postmodern language-game relativist places the
emphasis of the written message in the hands of the reader ...
what the reader wants the content to say.  For an excellent
rebuttal to  Reader Response  approach, view the handout
below, one which we've used for years now as we have
ministered on college and university campuses in the
Northwest (USA).  Click Here

Frankly, this approach is another example of one major flaw
in the relative truth worldview faith perspective.  It is being
used by darkness to further deceive.  Let us know what you 
think of our handout (linked above) by emailing us your
response.  Use the "Contact Us" box - above right.

Father God, thank You for the freedom found in Your eternal
Word.  Thank You for Your Word made flesh - Jesus Christ - and
for Your written Word to us.  We praise Your name and thank
You for being willing to grace us with insight that's eternally
significant.  Thank You for Your letter of salvation to us.  Please
forgive us when we twist it into saying things it does not say.
Help us humble ourselves whereby we're willing to consider
Your Counsel [for those who are not in Christ Jesus] ; help us
humble ourselves whereby we're willing to accept and act upon
what You clearly say [for those of us who are Your adopted 
children in Your beloved Son].  We bless You, the one true
God.  Even so, come quickly Lord Jesus!  Amen

*   The title of the article is "Reader-Response-Criticism in
     the Light of the Scriptural Principle" by Urlich Körtner (as
     included in Princeton Theological Seminary's  Theology
     Today- Vol. 73 ; Number 3 ; October 2016).

____________________

Week of 1/23-27  (B4;17) 

WHICH  "Believing Community" ?

I was quite surprised recently when I heard from one that  Bible
believers  do not qualify as a legitimate "believing community,"
one that's deemed credible in the eyes of global culture anyway.

The one I was talking with actually didn't say the above in those
exact words  BUT  what he was indeed saying (that is, claiming)
was this:  The  Christian  believing community  today  is one that 
does NOT, in both belief and lifestyle, view actual Bible content 
as the final authority for  faith and practice. 

I couldn't believe what I was hearing.  "What groundless 
presumption," I thought.

There are many absurd lies being propagated today, ones 
which are hardly believable ... except perhaps by the  believing  
community  which, in reality, doubts God's Word.  And please
discern:  Some of the believing communities even claim to be 
"Christian."

We encourage God's genuine people in Christ Jesus to remain
committed to His Word, a word forever settled in heaven (as
timeless Truth).  Psalm 119:89, 160 ; Isaiah 40:8 & 55:8,9

We are also called, by God, time and time again in end-time
passages, to discern those who teach falsely and to depart from
(that is, reject and disassociate with) those who, even in what
one could call a stealthful* manner, reject Scripture.

May we better mark these folks and avoid their ungodly influence
by, in part, separating from them if they insist on embracing and 
heralding satan's  has-God-said?  &  God-has-not-said  (and in the 
Genesis 3 context: what-God-said-is-not-true)  lies.

Instead, let's firm up our intake of God's holy Word and apply the
Psalm 1 principle.  And if you don't know what this principle is,
simply read the psalm and you'll see it ... IF you allow the
Word of God to say what it actually says!!   Point made.

Father, we are SO impressed by the Truth of Your Word!  It's no
wonder darkness tries so hard to undermine it in these end-time
battle days.  Help us to continue walking in the light of Your
Word whereby we are equipped to ENDURE.  Help those who 
are apostate to return to You and Your precious Counsel.  In
Christ Jesus' - Your Son's - holy name I pray.  Amen 

*  For example, there are some in churches today who employ
    the relative, my-opinion-is  hermeneutic to Bible content in
    order to deny what God is clearly saying.   Please see our
    handout in B3;17 above for wise counsel relating to the
    deceptions within the Reader Response approach.  Watch
    out for those who proclaim these consequential lies.

____________________

Week of 1/30 - 2/3  (B5;17)   [ FB ]

Observing The Text Of Matthew 24:3-31

Chronology #1

In light of the  TEXTUAL FLOW  of Matthew 24:3-31,
place the following events in their correct order.

1.  ___          A.  The sign of the Son of Man               (vs. 30)

2.  ___          B.  The abomination of desolation           (vv. 15-22)
                              and the great tribulation

3.  ___          C.  The gathering of the elect                 (vs. 31)

4.  ___          D.  The false christs & false prophets        (vv. 23-28)
                              who perform signs & wonders as
                              they give incorrect reports as to 
                              the physical location of Christ

5.  ___          E.  The time of tribulation                     (vv. 9-14)
                              (persecution & godlessness)

6.  ___          F.  The beginning of sorrows/                (vv. 4-8)
                              the beginning of birth pains

7.  ___          G.  Astronomical signs involving the          (vs. 29)
                              sun, moon and stars

Chronology #2

In light of the  ACTUAL CHRONOLOGY  of Matthew 24:3-31,
place the following events in their correct order.

1.  ___          A.  The sign of the Son of Man              

2.  ___          B.  The abomination of desolation          
                              and the great tribulation

3.  ___          C.  The gathering of the elect                

4.  ___          D.  The false christs & false prophets        
                              who perform signs & wonders as
                              they give incorrect reports as to 
                              the physical location of Christ

5.  ___          E.  The time of tribulation                     
                              (persecution & godlessness)

6.  ___          F.  The beginning of sorrows/             
                              the beginning of birth pains

7.  ___          G.  Astronomical signs involving the          
                              sun, moon and stars

(For a document allowing you to share the above insight
with your friends and Family in Christ, CLICK HERE.)

You will note the two chronologies above are different  IF
you've allowed the text to say what it says.  For some helpful
observations as to discerning the differences between the
two chronologies,  CLICK HERE.

God of glory, God of grace, THANK YOU Lord, for allowing
us to better discern our times through Your amazing gift to
us:  Your Word.  Help us live in such a way today that we are
correctly  obeying Your mandate to watch!  In the holy and
precious name of Jesus Christ Your Son we pray, amen.

____________________

Week of 2/6-10  (B6;17) 

Observing The Text Of II Thessalonians 2:1-12

(For an upcoming KPDQ radio broadcast on this very passage - an
audio presentation which also emphasizes the actual data of this
end-time text - see details below.)

Please read this II Thes. 2 passage.  For quotes of this paragraph
(quotes from literal English Bible versions),  CLICK HERE.

What the text actually says

II Thes. 2:1-12 states the day of Christ / day of the Lord
will  NOT  begin to unfold until two things take place:

1.  the apostasy
2.  the revealing of the man of sin / lawlessness

What the text does not say

This passage does  NOT  teach the Pre-Trib Rapture
gathering  of the Church, though we acknowledge there
are some who add the  Pre-Trib  Rapture event to this
passage. 

We simply encourage the reading of the passage in such
a way as to allow the text to say what it says. 

Beware of false teachers

IF  the Pre-Trib Rapture Gathering  inference  is incorrect,
then those who teach this  inference*  as fact (that is, as 
Bible doctrine) are teaching falsely on this matter of the
timing of the Rapture Gathering. 

Note important CONSEQUENCES, especially WHY this is
indeed a crucial concern

Applications (of this passage) vary depending on the end time
view one holds.  Please consider  preparedness  - that is,
"readiness" - in light of the actual data of this II Thes. 2 text
AND  in light of the  Final Trumpet Rapture Gathering, an
explicitly biblical end time view.  

Please discern this:  We clearly accept this II Thes. 2 passage 
teaches other things too.  Amen.  We are especially focusing on
one major teaching of this end-time paragraph (here in this blog).

Father God, thank You for teaching us that the apostasy and
the revealing of the man of sin will unfold  BEFORE  the coming
of Your precious Son  and  before our gathering together to Him.
May we be influenced by this fact (that the beginning of this day
of Christ will  FOLLOW  the falling away and the coming of the
antichrist on the world scene in a public manner) to the extent
of being willing to lay aside false traditions in the Church today.
In Jesus Christ's holy name I pray, amen.

Listen to a live airing of this radio broadcast by going to 
www.truetalk800.com  at 10:30 a.m. (PT)  THIS coming 
Saturday, February 11th.  Simply click the "Listen Live" link
(at the top of the page) at the 10:30 hour and you'll be good
to go.  Note:  This is  live  programming so you must tune in
at 10:30 in order to catch this II Thes. 2 broadcast.

*  Even Pre-Trib advocates rightly confess the Pre-Trib timing
    of the Rapture is an extra biblical inference.  For example,
    see Renald Showers' book, Maranatha - Our Lord, Come!

____________________

Week of 2/13-17  (B7;17)   [FB ]

Fascinating  BUT  DEADLY  Media Appeals

The film  Silence  comes at an amazing time in this
spiritual battle  of which we're a part.

I wouldn't recommend seeing this movie in that it is
a  MASTERPIECE  of spiritual deception.

The main appeal voiced in this medium is this:
Christians, be willing to RECANT!  Publicly deny 
your Lord, your faith  if  persecution comes your way 
(though continue to secretly believe).  It's okay to do so
because God is merciful and will safely see  believers
home.*

You see, this is yet another example of  half-truth
deception, deceit which satan has, as the master
deceiver, perfected.

Yes, God is merciful and will surely see His people Home.  
But just who are His genuine people in Jesus Christ but
those who go on to lovingly obey Him once they are new
creatures in Christ - Galatians 2:20 - whereby they are
loved by the Father and brought into eternal relationship
with Him upon glorification - see John 14 - 17.  God is
also  LORD God of heaven and earth and as such, His
kind message - His FULL Word of Counsel - is to be
obeyed  ...  Counsel which includes this:

READ  Matthew 24:9-13  &  Hebrews 10:19-39.

In these life-saving passages we find these words, ones
which  must be included  in our worldview (as followers
of our Master, Christ Jesus)  IF  we are to be balanced
children of God in His beloved Son:

   Therefore do not cast away your confidence, which has
   great reward.  For you have need of  endurance,  so that
   after you have done the will of God, you may receive the
   promise:  "For yet a little while, and He who is coming 
   will come and will not tarry.  Now the just shall live by
   faith; but if anyone draws back, My soul has no pleasure
   in him."  But we are not of those who draw back to perdition,
   but of those who believe to the saving of the soul.

   (NKJV ; emphases ours)

In application ...

Do  NOT  fall away.  Do  NOT  fall prey to this deceit.
Honor the  full  revelation of God  by heeding His Word,
not by only picking and choosing to accept the verses we
like.  We are accountable to Him.  This includes enduring
to the end.

In the context of our Lord's appeal to  fear  God,  we find
this sobering (serious) Truth:

"Also I  [Jesus]  say to you, whoever confesses Me before
men, him the Son of Man also will confess before the angels
of God.  But he who denies Me before men will be denied
before the angels of God."

The above is taken from Luke 12:8, 9.  (NKJV)  This 
paragraph goes on to bring illumination as to how we
can be victorious in the context of persecution, so read
on - read verses 10 - 12!

Our Lord goes on to teach,

"Salt is good; but if the salt has lost its flavor, how shall
it be seasoned?  It is neither fit for the land nor for the 
dunghill,  but  men throw it out.  He who has ears to
hear, let him hear!"   Luke 14:34, 35  (NKJV)

Creator God, everlasting Father, thank You for the 
provision of Your Holy Spirit in our lives whereby we
so enJOY the means to be overcomers.  May You be
honored and glorified as we live out the  sufferings
of Christ  to the end.  Thank You for the sweet-aroma
testimonials of those who have gone on before us,
testimonials like Polycarp of old.  We bless and
praise Your holy name.  Amen

NOTE:  We will send you a DVD copy of the life of
Polycarp  if  you would but snail-mail us your mailing
address.  Please include $5 to help us cover shipping
costs.  May JOY be ours in our continued abiding.

Send your request to:    Endurance Ministries
                                           P.O. Box 92098
                                           Portland, OR  97292-2098

*  What does the FULL Counsel of God say on this
    matter?  His Word includes warning against 
    apostasy and a call to overcome / stay true. 

The Sweet Dynamic Of The Body Of Christ

In this blog we'd like to express thanksgiving for another
ministry:  The Billy Graham Association.

A recent publication of  Decision  (magazine) rightly addressed
some of the "Big Lies" of our culture.  AMEN!  Many Bible 
passages regarding end-time deception are unfolding TODAY!

This ministry is also committed to addressing another Big Global
Lie, and it's this:

"Eternity  ≠  FOREVER."

Mediums of our day have assaulted the real meaning of
"eternity" for quite some time.  The deceptive message that
eternity really isn't forever  is just that, a lie fostering ongoing
bondage to the dark one.

Instead of succumbing to this lie, the Billy Graham ministries
continue to affirm the Truth:  Eternity  IS  FOREVER  and  go on
to point to the One - Jesus Christ - Who alone is able to transi-
tion believers (who receive Him) out of everlasting darkness
into the eternal Kingdom of God's dear Son.  God be praised!

YES, our loving God is still offering  salvation  to those who
would accept His precious, eternal provision in Jesus Christ.

Father, THANK YOU for the ongoing ministries of the Billy
Graham Association.  As our Brother Franklin presses on in
Your eternal Kingdom work, please continue to grant wisdom
and boldness in the context of the love and compassion of
Christ Jesus Your only Son.  Thank You for this ministry.  And
Lord, help folks discern the gravity of rejecting Your Son, the
Savior of mankind, for eternity without You is just that - it's
forever ... and it's very dark.  Even so, please come quickly
Lord Jesus.  Amen

____________________

 
Week of 4/10-14  (B15;17)

'Tis So Sweet To Trust In Jesus, Just To Take Him At His Word

God, as our loving Heavenly Father, allows those of us who are
in Christ such blessing.  Yes, we've been graciously granted all
the heavenly blessings in our Lord Jesus and find they are 
especially experienced as we abide in the Vine and walk in
His Spirit.

In this setting we praise His holy name.

While our position in our Lord is sweet, there's yet another 
Divine source of spiritual blessing which He kindly and so
generously bestows:  His Word.

This Saturday will air the 4th broadcast in our six-month series
titled, Building Biblical End-Time Perspective.  It features end-
time principles (to live by) from some chapters in Daniel.

Because the Word of God so speaks to  our  day - yes, yet 
another clear indication the Bible is a supernatural revelation
from the One True, all-knowing , eternal God - our broadcast
this week touches upon one of the culturally relevant reoccurring
themes from this awesome book (of Daniel).  We've also gone 
on to highlight (in this Saturday's 4/15 broadcast) one contem-
porary medium which promotes this end-time Bible prediction:
Deceptive appeals, appeals including calls to compromise our 
faith, will be made during the end of days prior to our Lord's initial 
appearing.  What a day to be living for our glorious, soon-coming 
Savior!

I say it again for emphasis' sake:  God's Word is amazing!

Please take advantage of this helpful, insightful broadcast.
Go to  www.truetalk800.com  at 10:30 a.m. (PT)  THIS coming
Saturday, April 15th.  Simply click the "Listen Live" link (at the
top of the page) and you'll be good to go.  Do note:  While this
broadcast has been pre-recorded, it is  live programming  so 
you must tune in at the 10:30 hour in order to catch this Daniel
broadcast.  For those of you who reside in the Portland Metro
area, tune in at the 800 AM dial, again, at the 10:30 hour.  If
you can't catch these live broadcasts, you can listen to them
at a later time by going to  www.heartofthesaviorministries.org
(click the "broadcasts" tab at the top of the page).  The end-time
programs are brought by Leslie and her guest, Jon Swanson,
Endurance Ministries' director of field services.

Dear Abba God, please use these Bible-based broadcasts
which highlight Your Word.  Please open our eyes and ears
and bring fruit unto Your glory and praise as Your Word is
proclaimed and heeded.  And may this  heeding  include our
using Your Word to better discern our dark, satanic culture.
In Christ Jesus' name we pray.  Amen 

____________________

Week of 4/17-21  (B16;17) 

Spiritual EBOLA

Did you catch the showing of the movie, Facing Darkness, 
recently?

This  Samaritan's Purse  production testifies of the grave 
darkness the Ebola virus is to mankind.  

And yet, in the context of eternity, we are facing a much greater
threat:  A threat I'd like to call  Spiritual Ebola.

There are MANY parallels in the movie (addressing the threats
of the Ebola virus) to the  really real  world.  I'd like to address
only one in this blog.

There is a place in the movie where misinformed Africans were
actually charging medical personnel with blame, saying the
doctors, nurses, etc. were the ones who were to be faulted.

In similar manner, some misinformed  Christians  are judging 
God's people (who are calling His people in Jesus Christ to be
attentive to the actual messages of His Word), labeling them false
teachers, sowers of dissension, faith opponents, and the like. 
These false judges are actually battling Christ's Ambassadors
who simply pass on the Lord's very messages which He has
given to His end-time people.  The degree of deception in this
is almost difficult to accept yet it is indeed taking place all round
us. 

"Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness
for light and light for darkness"  Scripture tells us in Isaiah 5:20.  
(ESV)

Dear and true Family in Christ:  God's explicit Word is Truth!  Listen
to those who faithfully expose the end-time deceptions of our day.
Overcome those wolves in sheep's clothing in our churches, those
who deny God's clear moral standards and who go on to praise the
very acts which are abominations before Holy God.  Discern those 
who bring false end-time prophetic messages! 

The misinformed Africans were eventually exposed  but  only 
AFTER  bringing great harm.  Satan's instruments who deny God's 
clear Truths will eventually be exposed  but  not before they pull 
many into the eternal Lake of Fire.  DON'T BE MISLED  by these 
false proclaimers.

CRUCIAL question:  What is  the means  we have to correctly
identify those who call evil good and good evil?  Answer:  The
Word of God. 

As True followers of Jesus Christ, we will be known, in part, by
this fruit:  We are people of the Book.  So one could ask:

Does the one in question  honor  God's holy Word  or  does this
person  reject  it?  A tree is known by its fruit.  This fruit includes
one's view on the Bible - the REVELATION of God Most High.

Holy Father, THANK YOU for gracing us with Your precious Word.
Thank You for speaking clearly therein.  Thank You for kindly
warning us about the evils of the end of days.  Thank You for
allowing us Your lamp unto our feet / Your light unto our path.
We praise You dear from-everlasting-to-everlasting God.  As
we remain true and endure to the end,  may Your sweet Spirit
continue directing us whereby HIS fruit is graciously expressed
as we abide in Your Son, our Vine.  We love You Father.  Thank
You for first loving us.  In Jesus Christ we pray, amen. 

____________________

Week of 4/24-28  (B17;17)   [FB ]

Our Prophetic, "Thus Says The Lord" Appeals

History is once again, as we speak, repeating itself.  It is doing so, 
in part, in the context of  false end-time appeals, ones which include

A.  the appeal the Rapture will take place in September of this
      year,   and,

B.  the Rapture could happen at any time ( the popular but 
      unbiblical  doctrine of imminence). 

These current cultural affairs (that is, "A" and "B" above) are 
directly tied to our first  thus says the Lord  appeal:

1.  No Rapture will take place in 2016 or 2017.   (II Thes. 2)
     (We began making this appeal last year - 2016.)

Our other prophetic appeals are these:

2.  The Second Coming of the Lord of lords, Jesus Christ, will
      take place in a three-fold manner as outlined in our book,
      The Final Trumpet Rapture Gathering: An Introduction.
      (Mt. 24, 25)

3.  WATCH!   (Mark 13)

      Jesus Christ has outlined just how we are to do so ... and
      His Counsel is often quite different than some of the end-
      time (false) prophetic teachers of our day.

4.  The signs of Mt. 24:4-29 will take place BEFORE the sign
      of the Son of Man - the initial appearing of our Lord Jesus.
      (Mt. 24)

5.  Three most popular  end-time perspectives  in churches
      today - Pan Mil/Pan Trib, Pre-Trib Rapture and Preterism -
      UNDERMINE  readiness  as mandated by our Lord Jesus.
      They foster unpreparedness and are most dangerous  IF
      held dogmatically (for example, to the extent that other
      more biblical end-time positions are not considered).

6.  READ HIS WORD!

7.  The end-time chronology of Mt. 24, 25 and Revelation (as
      we're presenting it through Endurance Ministries) will 
      unfold in said order.  

The above are  "thus says the Lord"  appeals.

Below is a more tentative (less-than-certain) appeal, one we've
made last year and one which we believe will take place: 

The Covenant of Daniel 9:27 will most likely be made sometime
between 2027 and 2033. 

We have made (over the Internet, through radio broadcasts
and pulpit, seminar and conference settings) specific prophetic
announcements as we seek to Ambassador on our Lord Jesus
Christ's behalf.  The clear prophetic appeals above are expressed
as a result of the love which Jesus Christ has graciously given to
us for His Church.  May our ministry appeals serve to further help
God's people in Jesus Christ to be watchful as the King of kings
has so outlined.  As we watch, we continue in passionate appeal:
Even so, please come quickly Lord Jesus! 

Father God, we speak Your Truths in love with the intent of
ministering to Your people.  May we heed Your instructions 
as to living as Your lights in these closing  end of days  before
Your Son returns.  Please also grant two additional fruits as
a result of our labors:  1.  God's people are served in light of
Your Counsel;  2.  You are glorified.  In Christ Jesus' holy
and precious name we pray.  Amen

____________________

Week of 5/1-5  (B18;17)   [FB ]

What's NEXT On The BIBLICAL Prophetic Calendar

Be looking for the following events to unfold soon
(Note:  Not necessarily in the order below   and   YES,
you're correct, the Rapture event is  NOT  the next
event on the prophetic calendar!) :

~  Continued growth of deception and unrighteousness

~  Growing outward acts of hateful violence against God's people
     in Jesus Christ (this is a part of the growing general unrest -
     which includes the taking of peace from the earth - as predicted
     in the 2nd Seal and as foretold by our Lord Jesus when He
     spoke of increased persecution in Mt. 24:9ff)

~  The 3rd Seal will bring famine (this event is yet future - as 
     are the other events below - as of the posting of this blog)

~  The tax imposer will begin a short period of taxation on the
     glorious kingdom - Daniel 11:20ff - but his work will be short

~  Though possibly not generally recognized, 10 kings will begin
     increased actions in support of the rule of the antichrist

~  The antichrist will be revealed (II Thes. 2), in part, through his
     uprooting 3 of the 10 kings

~  Prophets and teachers of the worldly church will further promote
     the  Temple Project , the one which will eventually be taken over
     by the  man of sin  upon the setting up of the Abomination of
     Desolation, possibly including the effort to resume the Old Cov-
     enant sacrificial offerings.  (Please note well:  These offerings,
     we NEED to add - if they are indeed implemented - are clear
     abominations to YHVH God in light of His eternal provision in
     the Lamb of God, in Whom He was most pleased!)   

~  The Daniel 9 Covenant is coming soon.  When this takes place,
     those who honor the Word of God will  experientially  know  the
     Pre-Tribulation Rapture is a false-hope teaching.  Question:  Will
     we honor God at this time by accepting His Truths concerning the
     days of the end prior to His Son's glorious initial appearing  OR  
     will we choose to persist in even further degrees of deception?

~  In light of biblical Truth, what are some additional things which
     will take place during this Second Wave ?

Sweet Creator God, we praise You.  We so thank You for the three
highlights in the history of mankind:  Creation; Christ & Cross; and
Consummation.  You are the holy Centerpiece in it all.  In fact, Lord
God, in You all things consist.  Thank You for being preeminent and
sufficient in relationship to reconciling  lost humanity  through Your
glorious provision.  Thank You for the ETERNAL Covenant in Jesus
Christ Your Lamb of Hope on our behalf.  We exalt You oh eternal
One!   In Jesus Christ's name,  amen. 

____________________

Week of 5/8-12  (B19;17) 

In Light Of What's Coming, How Shall We Now Live?

Sincerely, in answer to the question above, we must further build
perspective  in light of biblical Truths.  This includes a  RESOLVE
to stay true - to be the  overcomers  who remain faithful, who refuse
to fall away unto destruction.  Yes, our Lord clearly states:

1.  Watch                                               see Mark 13:37

2.  Endure to the end                          see Matthew 24:13

3.  Whoever seeks to save                  see Luke 17:33
      his live will lose it but
      whoever loses his life 
      for Christ's sake will
      save it. 

Do you recall the  "Wolf! Wolf!  Syndrome"  we highlighted in past
blogs and/or on our frequently asked questions pages?  We need
to revisit this aspect of  preparedness perspective  due to all the
appeals to become as the town people (in Aesop's fable long ago)
did - they stopped believing the appeals that danger was present. 

In like manner, because there are so many FALSE prophetic 
appeals (that is, end-time "Wolf! Wolf! appeals), some fall prey
to a  wolf  of another kind - the  wolf  of deception, like that of the
town folks, for they eventually adopted a mindset which fostered
a closed mind to fair warning.  

There's a similar thing taking place today:  MANY have stopped
listening to True (that is, genuinely BIBLICAL) appeals because
of all the false prophetic appeals they've experienced and/or
heard about these past few decades.  Please see our past 
appeals along these lines below.

Link 1

Link 2

Link 3 

In light of this crucial truism, PLEASE don't stop listening to those
who are clearly making Bible-based, thus says the Lord  appeals.
Discern this dark trap because  one day the fulfillments of end-
time Bible prophecy will indeed unfold.  Jesus Christ will one
day appear.  In wise response to clear biblical Counsel, we need
to live out a Word-based perspective when it comes to end time
concerns.  We are to be ready, watching and discerning the times
(in light of biblical Truth)  and  endure in the setting of the dark
days of the end.

Lord God, once again we can't help but bring to Your ears, shouts
of thanksgiving and praise due to the sweet Counsel You've so
graciously provided in Your Word.  LORD, in response, we do
bring our praises before You.  Continue, please, to open our
eyes whereby we see Your insights as we live in a very satanic
culture.  Help us be Your loving lights to those who know You 
not.  And LORD God, THANK YOU for putting eternity in our
hearts whereby we avoid the  tyrannies of the urgent  and, in
contrast, are living in a way which is committed to Your eternal
Truths.  In Christ Jesus' holy name we pray, amen.

____________________

Week of 5/15-19  (B20;17) 

It Is Well With My Soul (Part 1)

What a blessing!  Last week's radio programs (which
featured the Book of Revelation) were outstanding.  By
God's kind moving, He led us to excellence.  

We ...

1.  highlighted an end-time, internal-to-the-book outline;
2.  exalted the eternal Triune Creator God;
3.  exposed deception by bringing a warning concerning
          the spirit of antichrist;
4.  presented the Gospel;   and,
5.  encouraged  Bible-based  discipleship (a missing
          ingredient in many churches today).

In this setting it's no wonder we are persecuted for 
righteousness' sake.  Darkness hates the basic Kingdom
things of God, especially provided by the Word of God,
Jesus Christ.  

With His big picture in mind, I so enjoy His  peace  and  joy
and bring testimony of praise to the worthy One.

Loving God, because of  YOU,  it is well with my soul.
In Christ Jesus' holy name I bring this expression of 
sincere adoration in response to Your loving kindness 
to us.  Amen 

____________________

Week of 5/22-26  (B21;17)   [FB ]

It Is Well With My Soul (Part 2)

Do you recall the 4th stanza of this favorite hymn?

It reads this way:

     And Lord, haste the day when the faith shall be sight,
     The clouds be rolled back as a scroll;
     The Trump shall resound and the Lord shall descend:
     Even so, it is well with my soul.

Author Horatio Spafford (1828-1888) takes certain 
Truths from Scripture ...

     1.  from Revelation 6:14-17          "the clouds be rolled
                                                                  back as a scroll"
     2.  from Matt. 24:30, I Cor. 15        "the Trump shall 
              & I Thes 4:13-18                          resound"
     3.  from Revelation 19                    "and the Lord shall
                                                                   descend"

... and weaves these Truths into this awesome verse.

CLICK HERE  for a visual aid on this matter of the 3-fold
Return of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Dear Blessed Hope, we praise and exalt Your glorious name.
Thank You for the sweet Hope You so graciously and so
abundantly extend to humanity.  You have invited us to Your
banquet.  May we dress in appropriate attire (may we be 
found  in Your Son) and be worthy to be the few that are
chosen among the many that are called.  In this precious
state, as members of Your Bride, we individually declare:  
"It is WELL with my soul!"  In Jesus Christ's name we
pray, amen. 

____________________

Week of 5/29 - 6/2 (B22;17) 

Seeking Help And To Be Of Help ...

You may have heard about the present false end-time teaching
that, some how, some way, continues to grow in popularity.  It's
the idea that the Rapture event will take place this September. 

Speaking the Truth in love:  The Rapture of the Church will
NOT take place (in light of the explicit Word of God) in 2017.
This includes the month of September. 

In response to yet another contribution to the "Wolf! Wolf!"
syndrome (see blog B19;17 above), we have been granted
the means to produce a  third  printing of our book,  The 
Final Trumpet Rapture Gathering: An Introduction.   Thank
You Lord!

This new printing run adds helpful charts which were not
included in the first two printing rounds of this edition.  It 
also includes minor updates pertinent to some recent 
cultural events.

Our  OFFER  to you, our (blog-) reading audience:

Could you help us  further disciple God's Saints in Jesus
Christ by making a financial donation of $25 or greater
toward the support of our service efforts?  In turn, we will 
gift you with this third printing copy of the book mentioned 
above.  We need additional donors to help us take some 
important next-step actions concerning some  new  ministry 
opportunities.  For those of you who need to see additional 
information as to our Kingdom commitments - our purposes/
objectives, etc. - please click  this link.

If you choose to send your donation via snail mail, please
send your gift to:

      Endurance Ministries
      P.O. Box 92098
      Portland, OR  97292

If you would like to make an on-line donation, please use 
this link:  CLICK HERE

THANK YOU for prayerfully considering sending us a gift in
support of God's eternal Kingdom work.  May the Lord of 
lords and King of kings bless and keep you as you continue
Ambassadoring on His behalf.

YHVH God, thank You for You!  We praise You for being the one
True God Who created the universe and all things therein in six
evening-and-morning  days.  We praise You for sustaining Your
Creation.  We exalt You for being willing to purchase - at great
cost - humanity's salvation through the eternal Word incarnate.  
May Your cleansing blood as presented in Your atoning sacrifice 
almost 2,000 years ago be MOST fruitful unto Your glory and
praise.  And Lord, thank You for being faithful to Your Word.
The detail of Your prophetic revelation concerning Your return
is indescribable - it's amazing.  Blessed be!  In Christ Jesus'
holy and precious name we pray, amen.  

____________________

Week of 6/5 - 9  (B23;17) 

End-Time TRUTH Seekers:  Did YOU Catch It?

You know, at this juncture, if you've been reading our blogs,
we honor God's Word as to its proper place as THE foundation
upon which we build accurate end-time perspective.

For decades we've made the appeal:  Let's build our end-time
view on explicit  BIBLE  Truth.  It's with joy and thanksgiving we
bring the following testimony concerning a Brother in Christ
who also makes the appeal that we define our eschatological
position on the basis of biblical data.

We praise our Lord for Marv Rosenthal and his recent Bible-based
observation, one which we've been making for many years now:

     " 1. The designation 'Tribulation' period is used
           throughout this article [titled, The Deception]
           as a synonym for the seventieth week of Daniel 
           because the term is widely used this way.  
           However, it should be understood that the Bible 
           never designates Daniel's seventieth week as 
           the 'Tribulation Period.' "  (see the Nov/Dec 2016 
           edition of  Zion's Fire ; pg. 13 footnote ; the bold 
           emphasis is ours) *

In other words, as we at Endurance Ministries would put it:  
The Bible, including the Matthew 24 passage, does NOT
teach the "Tribulation Period"  is  Daniel's 70th Week!

Definitions are indeed crucial in building correct end-time per-
spective and we MUST do so (that is, we must build our end-time
definitions) on Bible Truth.  Please review our many appeals along
these lines in our previous FAQs and BLOGS.  (for example, see
FAQ #36,  FAQ #38,  FAQ #41  and  BLOGS  B37;16,  B42;16  
and  B10;17)

One other thing:

Will Marv decide to continue basing his end-time view on Bible
authority  OR  will he allow new definitions of mankind  (which are
harmful at times, much like the religious leaders did in our Lord's 
day - Mt. 15)  to encroach upon what the Word of God actually says?
(and this includes crucial definitions of terms and phrases)

Lord God, thank You for the sweet ways You have graciously
used your servant, Marv, over the years.  Thank You for his
ministry which has contributed to the further uncovering of 
the unbiblical end-time perspective called "Pre-Tribulation
Rapture."  Please continue to bless Marv as he places Your
Word as final authority for end-time faith and practice.  THANK
YOU for prompting him to publically confess the Bible obser-
vation above.  May Your Truths which are forever settled in
heaven continue to inform Your people in Christ Jesus Your
Son.  May the  FRUIT  of  proper  preparation be, in part,
that which You use to protect us through these in-harms-way
days.  Unto our best interests and especially unto Your glory
and praise, please help us dear Lord.  In Jesus Christ's holy
name we pray, amen.

*  And YES, I have written to Marv and David Rosenthal
    about this pressing concern. 

____________________

Week of 6/12-16  (B24;17)   [FB ]

When Does One  BAT  1,000 ?

Spring baseball is here.  Averages are a part of the game.  
We're applying  averages, in this blog, to prophetic accuracy.

Just how well do folks hold up?

Well, it all depends on the  Truth Foundation  upon which one
builds prophetic perspective.  IF one draws from the explicit 
biblical text (and ties the many passages together in correct
manner), then one can (all "i"s dotted and "t"s crossed) indeed
actually  bat  1000.

In this blog we're looking at an average tied to a specific  at bat.
The average we're considering this week is not a  WHOLE  
average (on the entirety of Bible prophecy concerning the end
of days)  BUT  is only an average as to accuracy concerning 
this  prophetic detail: 

"Jesus Christ will NOT come today." 

So how have we at  Endurance Ministries  fared?  We succeed
in relationship to how faithful we handle the Word of God.  In 
this case we'll highlight one passage we rely upon to come to,
in part, the prophetic declaration above.  It's  II Thessalonians 2.*

The first few verses of this passage say this:

"Now, brethren, concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ
and our gathering together to Him, we ask you, not to be soon
shaken in mind or troubled ... as though the day of Christ had
come.  Let no one deceive you by any means; for  that Day will
not come  unless the falling away comes first, and the man of
sin is revealed, the son of perdition ..."   (II Thes. 2:1-3 ; NKJV)

We believe the day of Christ  (beginning with  the coming of 
our Lord Jesus Christ  and  going on to include  our gathering 
together to Him)  will not begin  until  two things take place:

1.  the falling away unfolds  (presently taking place today)
2.  the man of lawlessness is revealed  (yet future to this blog)

So how does this relate to  prophetic  batting  averages ?

Great question ... glad you asked!     

In light of THIS passage (and others which we're not addressing
in this blog), we state the Lord will NOT come (even His initial
appearing) until the apostasy and the revealing of the man of
sin occur.  We have been teaching this for decades.  So, by
God's grace based upon His explicit Word, here's our pro-
phetic batting average when it comes to our Lord's coming:

We are batting 1,000.  We'll use January 1st, 2000 as the day
we begin our statistical inquiry for purposes here (even though
we've been making the claim immediately below since the late
1990s).

In light of biblical Truth, we have been saying,  "Jesus Christ
will NOT come today."  Since January 1st of 2000, we have
batted 1,000.  Jesus Christ has NOT come, day after day after
day ... .  Using the January 1st, 2000 date, there have now been
over 6,300  at bats  for us on this topic.  In other words, making 
this claim daily, we have done so (and have been correct in this
prophetic announcement) well over 6,000 times.  Pretty impressive?
Yes, in one sense given there are those who incorrectly teach
Jesus Christ can come at any time.  Fact is, He will not come until
the apostasy takes place and the man of sin is revealed.  

So where does this leave us? 

We continue to declare the  secret  as to prophetic accuracy (that 
is,  batting 1,000) :   The Word of God is truth and is  always  
accurate.  This includes end-time prophecy! 

Care to be a Berean?  Join us this next quarter as we read His
accurate prophetic Word on a daily basis.  The reading schedule
will be posted in our next blog.

Faithful Father, we so THANK YOU for Your kind  map  to us.
Thank You for Your Word!  May You open our eyes through
Your Spirit's illuminating ministry as we read Your Truths
forever settled in heaven and thus behold wonderful things
therein.  Lord, help us to  bat  1,000.  Help us to accurately
handle Your Word and let it say what it says.  And Lord, if
there's anyone reading this prayer who is not yet covered
by Your Instrument of salvation - Your Son - please lead 
them to click  this link.  Unto Your glory and praise we 
pray.  In Jesus Christ's name we pray.  Amen 

*  See blog B13;17 above for more information about II Thes. 2.

____________________

Week of 6/19-23  (B25;17) 

Our 2017 End-Time Bible Reading Schedule (July - September)

The Word of God - the Bible - continues to demonstrate God's 
omniscience RE: the days of the end.  What  INSIGHT  is ours  IF
we but  listen to  His wisdom forever settled in heaven.

July 1     I John 1
July 2     I John 2
July 3     I John 3
July 4     I John 4
July 5     I John 5
July 6     II John 
July 7     III John
July 8     I Peter 1
July 9     I Peter 2
July 10   I Peter 3
July 11   I Peter 4
July 12   I Peter 5
July 13   II Peter 1
July 14   II Peter 2
July 15   II Peter 3
July 16   Matthew 24
July 17   Matthew 25
July 18   Mark 13
July 19   Luke 21
July 20   Psalm 50
July 21   Psalm 51
July 22   Psalm 52
July 23   Psalm 53
July 24   Psalm 54
July 25   Psalm 55
July 26   Psalm 56
July 27   Psalm 57
July 28   Psalm 58
July 29   Psalm 59
July 30   Psalm 60
July 31   Psalm 61

August 1   Daniel 1
August 2   Daniel 2
...  etc.  ...
August 11   Daniel 11
August 12   Daniel 12
August 13   I Cor. 15
August 14   I Thes. 4
August 15   II Thes. 2
August 16   Matthew 24
August 17   Luke 12
August 18   Luke 17
August 19   I Thes. 5
August 20   I Tim. 4
August 21   II Tim. 3
August 22   II Tim. 4
August 23   Titus 2
August 24   John 14
August 25   John 15
August 26   John 16
August 27   John 17
August 28   John 18
August 29   John 19
August 30   John 20
August 31   John 21

September 1   Revelation 1
September 2   Rev. 2
...  etc.  ...
September 21  Rev. 21
September 22  Rev. 22
September 23  Deut. 13 & 18
September 24  Jer. 23
September 25  II Peter 1
September 26  II Peter 2
September 27  Hebrews 10
September 28  Heb. 11
September 29  Heb. 12
September 30  Heb. 13

Awesome God of glory, God of grace, we praise You for Your
greatness.  We bow amazed at Your sweet qualities and we 
stand in awe of You.  Please illumine our minds as we read Your
love map to us.  And THANK YOU for helping us seek Your face
through the gifts of Your Word (both the incarnate Word of God 
and the written Word of God)  AND  Your Holy Spirit.  In Jesus
Christ's holy name we pray.  Amen 

____________________

Week of 6/26-30  (B26;17) 

As HIS Word So Accurately Predicts:  Growing Persecution 

In the context of increasing persecution toward those who live
godly in Christ Jesus, we find the anti-Constitution, anti-christ 
oppostion getting even more bold (in the public arena) as they
further express their opposition to personal religious freedoms.

Ponder this  HUGE, short (less than 3-minute) example, please:

CLICK HERE

Scripture is clear on end-time chronology and themes which
express themselves during the days of the end.  The above link
is only one of literally hundreds of examples as to contemporary
expressions of the end-time theme of  persecution.  

We bring this reality-check this week because it's time the
faithful Church in Jesus Christ better develop  enduring  per-
spective in preparation for the days ahead.  We bring this
appeal because we are most concerned about apostasy 
forewarned by our Lord as outlined in His Word.  We need
to shore up our resolve to stay true to Jesus Christ, the
Way, the Truth and the Life, without Whom, no one can
come to Father YHVH God.

Father God, thank You for building our perspective (in light of Your
Word) whereby we can better discern our ungodly day and are thus
better equipped to be Your Ambassadors of light and love to this 
dark, satanic world.  Help us, in the context of growing persecution
and wickedness, YES, please help us avoid allowing our love to
grow cold.  May our love - expressed in part, through tough-love
appeal - actually be YOUR love shining through us as we share 
Your Good News and disciple toward greater Christ-likeness.
Alleluia God Most High.  Amen

____________________

Note:  

The following 3 blogs are taken from our book,  The Final
Trumpet Rapture Gathering: An Introduction.  (pp. 235-237)
To order the improved  3rd printing  edition of this
edifying work, please email  Endurance Ministries  
using the "Contact Us" page at  THIS LINK   or   by
sending us a note at  email@endmin.org. 

 

Week of 8/14-18  (B33;17) 

Reviewing The  DANGERS  Of The "Preterit" Perspective

This viewpoint continues to grow in spite of the many clear
reasons to reject it.  Holding this position and its teaching that 
end-time  revelation in the Word of God has already been
fulfilled in the early church era (either in full or in part) is a 
most dangerous perspective indeed.

It promotes the rejection of crucial advice which has been given 
to the final generation before the return of Jesus Christ.  An  "It's
simply not for today" mentality makes one  extremely susceptible 
to ill-preparedness  due to the rejection of biblical end-time Counsel.
It denies God's revelation concerning the days before His Son's
return, revelation through which one (to cite one of many examples) 
is able to discern the many cultural characteristics of the one-world 
system.

QUESTION  for you the reader:  To what degree are you obeying
God's protective mandates to be discerning and watching - given,
in part, to guard you from the eternally consequential lies so
prevalent in our culture today?

Yes,  1) many have been saying "it is the time of the end" 
for thousands of years, but this should not lead us to reject 
God's Counsel to be watching today.  (Do you recall the 
"Wolf, Wolf" Syndrome?)  As the early Church was instructed
to be watching and waiting for the return of Christ, so too is each
subsequent generation to be ready and watching for these events
to take place - events, our Lord says, will unfold before His return.
Our generation is obviously included in this mandate to be ready.
And yes,  2) some of these end-time signs have been expressed
through history - but Jesus Christ has not yet returned AND never
before in human history have these signs occurred to the degree
they are taking place today.  So embrace God's sweet, shepherding 
Counsel - read it and heed it - whereby you live under His protection
from the deceptions and attacks which have eternal personal
consequences.

Father YHWH God, thank You for placing an emphasis on
watchfulness  in Your Word.  May Your people in Christ Jesus
Your beloved Son  heed  Your instruction to be ready for His
glorious appearing!  Help us, Lord, to do the Rev. 1:3 thing,
including the "heeding" aspect of this promised blessing!
Help us, please, discern the false teachings in some churches 
today.  Unto Your glory and praise we pray, amen. 

____________________

Week of 8/21-25  (B34;17) 

Reviewing The  DANGERS  Of The "Pan-Trib/Pan-Mil" Perspective

The attitude in majority today (among those who are interested in
Christian  things) is clearly Pan-Trib/Pan-Mil.  "It will all pan out in the
end therefore we need not concern ourselves with end-time matters"  
is a succinct sound-bite summarizing this general perspective.  Even
pastors model this attitude when they insist on NOT speaking about
end-time things - things taking place in culture TODAY.  WOW!  How
can this be?  (Under-shepherds, please read Ezek. 33 & 34.)

This is one of the most dangerous end-time perspectives to hold.
It mandates rejection of God's Word - we have been properly and
sufficiently warned against belittling end-time data.  It promotes
the fruit of ill-preparedness  to the extent one's eternal state is
in jeopardy.  It fosters an attitude most vulnerable to the very end-
time deceptions our Lord Jesus so clearly warned against.

QUESTION  for you the reader:  To what degree are you obeying
a more biblical mindset, one contrary to the "it will all pan out
in the end" mentality?  God has graciously provided important 
Counsel which you can use to get out of harm's way, spiritually
speaking.

Yes,  1) it will all  pan out  in the end as the Word of God clearly
teaches.  The Bible  also  teaches  2) many will fall away from 
the faith due to personal idolatry, deceptions and persecution.  
If you agree with the first statement, you must - if you are 
consistent - believe the second.  Our life  actions  (that is,
deeds or works!) demonstrate our real faith perspective.  
Consider yourself lovingly exhorted to go back to the Word 
of God for crucial instruction for today.

Lord, help our under-shephers do what they, in part, are called to do:
Be  watchmen on the wall  whereby they give warning to Your sheep.
Lord, we simply but sincerely say:  We love You so.  Thank You
for loving us as You do - through precious  acts  which so clearly
speak to Your generous love for us.  [Romans 5:8!]  We PRAISE 
You dear God our Savior!  Through the name above all names,
Jesus Christ, we pray.  Amen

____________________

 
Week of 8/28 - 9/1  (B35;17) 

Reviewing The  DANGERS  Of The "Pre-Tribulation Rapture" Perspective

"We will already be in glory during this time of the Tribulation Period." 
So many continue to teach today.  There's only one problem:  This is
untrue, biblically speaking.  And if one holds this view dogmatically,
one becomes anti-biblical and potentially faces eternal consequences.

Like the Pan-Trib/Pan-Mil viewpoint above, the Pre-Trib view is also a
most dangerous perspective to hold.  It mandates rejection of important 
signs of  OUR  times because "the Rapture event is sign-less and is the
next event to take place on the prophetic calendar" ... so many say.  Its 
foundation of appeal is extra-biblical content - the PRE-Trib Rapture
event is NOT taught in Scripture.  It feeds ill-preparedness  because
one of its major tenets is that we will not be here for (what  they  outline
to be) the "Tribulation Period" - another extra-biblical teaching.

QUESTION  for you the reader:  To what degree are you obeying 
God's Word concerning His people being ready and watching for the
return of Jesus Christ?  His Word says signs will  precede  His return
and those signs potentially bear eternally binding consequences if
the biblical Counsel in response to the signs goes unheeded by His 
people.

Yes,  1) we His obedient people in Jesus Christ will not incur the
wrath of God, for we will be off the earth when the Bowls of Wrath
are poured out.  And yes,  2) it is the Word of God which serves
as the light to our path, even during these closing days of human
history.  As a result, we encourage you to go back to His Word and
discern for yourself the pertinent material in Daniel, Matthew 24, 25,
and Revelation which God has so graced us with during these 
troubled days.  If you do so, you will find the Bible does NOT teach
the Pre-Trib Rapture myth.

Dear soon-coming King, we exalt Your name together singing
alleluia - praise to Yah!  Even so, do come quickly Lord Jesus.
Amen

Additional information about the concerns of  ill-preparedness  can
be found in our book (mentioned above)  AND  on  this web page.

____________________

Week of 9/4-8  (B36;17) 

Important  RADIO  Broadcasts

We've so been enjoying our new six-month radio series (on KPDQ,
True Talk Radio - as guests of  Heart of the Savior Ministries).  The
title of our present series is  Contemporary Eschatology  (CE).

While our  past  CE broadcasts (in the months of July and August)
have primarily addressed end-time predictions which already  have
taken place in the recent past, the now  weekly  broadcasts through
this month - the month of September - especially address currently
unfolding  and  yet-future end-time predictions in God's Word.

Because  many  contemporary end-time viewpoints base their
chronologies on assumptions, ones NOT taught in Scripture (e.g.,
Ron Rhodes'  The END TIMES In Chronological ORDER), we feel,
in light of explicit Bible Truth, CATASTROPHIC-to-church-folks
consequences will be forthcoming this next decade!

Our end-time  house  must  be built upon a true foundation!  No
surprise to read this from us here given our (Endurance Ministries')
many appeals through our  web sites.

One way we're able to present His eternal Truths forever settled
in heaven is through  radio broadcasting.  Instead of continuing this
Contemporary Eschatology  series through the rest of this year, we
have decided to bring  weekly  broadcasts through September due
to pressing matters unfolding in global culture this month.

You can join us for our concluding radio series in  two  ways:

If you wish to catch the live  Saturday  broadcasts, simply go to
www.truetalk800.com.  Here are the "live" airing times: 

September 9  at 10:30 a.m.  (Pacific Time)

September 16  at 10:30  (PT)

September 23  at 10:30  (PT)    and

September 30  at 10:30  (PT)    

Please take advantage of these helpful, insightful programs.  Again,
go to  www.truetalk800.com  at 10:30 a.m. (PT) beginning with THIS
coming Saturday's (9/9) broadcast.  Simply click the "Listen Live"
link (at the top of the page) and you'll be good to go.  DO NOTE:
While these broadcasts have been pre-recorded, they are  live
programming  in that you must tune in at the 10:30 hour in order
to catch these timely appeals.

Here's yet another way to catch these broadcasts:  For those of
you who reside in the Portland (Oregon) Metro area, tune in on 
the  800 AM  dial using the schedule above, again, at the 
10:30 hour    OR  ...

Use this broadcast schedule IF your Saturdays are full:

Thursday, Sept. 7  at 2:00 p.m.  (Pacific Time)

Thursday, Sept. 14  at 2:00  (PT)

Thursday, Sept. 21  at 2:00  (PT)      and

Thursday, Sept. 28  at 2:00  (PT)

Simply tune in at 2:00 p.m. on Thursdays at  this  web site:

www.KPDQ.com  and click the "Listen Live" link.

Father, as Your Word is proclaimed, please use these presentations
to help Your people be  ready  as You have so clearly Counseled. 
In this safe context, help us to move forward in Your Gospel and 
Discipleship ministries in these awesome days of the end before 
Your Son's glorious appearing.  And dear God, we continue to pray:
In our lives, Lord, be glorified, be glorified today.  In the holy 
name of Your beloved Son, Jesus Christ, we pray.  Amen 

____________________

Week of 9/11-15  (B37;17)

Our 2017 End-Time Bible Reading Schedule (October - December)

"The heavens declare the glory of God; And the firmament
shows His handiwork.”  (Psalm 19:1 ; NKJV)

October 1     Psalm 1                       It’s truly amazing how all
October 2     Psalm 2                       of the Psalms speak to
…  etc.  …                                           our needs in this hour!
October 30   Psalm 30
October 31   Psalm 31                     ENJOY!

November 1    Rev. 1
November 2    Rev. 2
…  etc.  …
November 21  Rev. 21
November 22  Rev. 22
November 23  Mt. 24
November 24  Mt. 25
November 25  Mk. 13
November 26  Lk. 17
November 27  Lk. 21
November 28  John 14
November 29  John 15
November 30  John 16

December 1    Daniel 1
December 2    Daniel 2
...  etc.   ...
December 11  Daniel 11
December 12  Daniel 12
December 13  Rev. 1
December 14  Rev. 2
December 15  Rev. 3
December 16  Rev. 4
December 17  Rev. 5
December 18  Rev. 6
December 19  II Thes. 2
December 20  I Thes. 5
December 21   I Tim. 4
December 22  II Tim. 3
December 23  II Tim. 4
December 24  I Thes. 4
December 25  I Cor. 15
December 26  Mt. 24
December 27  Mk. 13
December 28  Lk. 17
December 29  Lk. 21
December 30  Rev. 11
December 31  Rev. 14

Forever, O Lord, is Thy Word settled in heaven - Your
sweet faithfulness endures to all generations!  Please 
help us discern the difference between Your explicit Word
from that of the incorrect interpretations of man (e.g., the 
false teachings and prophecies of our day)  and  help us
to ENDURE in seeking Your Counsel in these days just
prior to Your Son’s glorious initial appearing ... unto our 
protection and unto Your glory and praise!  Even so, 
please come quickly Lord Jesus.  Amen

____________________

Week of 9/18-22  (B38;17)

False-Hope 9/23 Warnings:  Revisiting The "Wolf! Wolf! Syndrome"

Do you recall Aesop's insightful lesson?

This ancient story highlights the harm which comes when one
choses  to move toward dangerous imbalance as a result of
applying partial truth.

In our  appeal  today, the harmful potential imbalance which
we're concerned about is this:

Due to multiple  end-time  cries of "Wolf! Wolf!" - ones which 
have proven to be false time and time again - some chose to
adopt a faulty perspective which goes on, in practice, to ignore
current cultural realities of which the Bible speaks, ones which
will occur before Jesus Christ's initial appearing.

Our LORD said (and continues to say) this:  When some clear
end-time signs present themselves, we are to look up, for our
salvation draws near.

Some today, because of past false appeals that  the end is here,
go on to make this fatal  CHOICE:

    Because it will all  pan out  in the end,  I don't need to
    concern myself with end-time Bible Truths which are
    currently unfolding in global culture.

Friends, this partial-truth appeal  is most dangerous to our
eternal souls  given it  DENIES  the full Counsel of our LORD
concerning how we should live today.

Quoting our Lord Jesus as we emphasize our concluding 
application appeal:

"What I say to you, I say to all:  WATCH!"   (Mark 13:37)

Glorious Father and soon-coming Son, please move us to
better discern the deceit of satanic half-truth appeals.  Help
us to better honor the full Counsel of Your kind warnings to us.
Lord, the deceptions of our day are EVERYWHERE.  Please
help us better guard against these consequential lies as we
turn to Your Word for protection second to none.  As we 
abide in this precious state, help us take action steps
in obedience to You concerning Your mandate to be
ready.  In Jesus Christ's holy name we pray, amen. 

NOTE:  Past comments on this topic can be found in blog
             B19;17 above.

____________________

Week of 9/25-29  (B39;17)

Exposing A Contributing VOICE, One Which Fosters Unbiblical Grace

Please discern:  We address BOTH chronological AND thematic concerns
tied to the  end of days  before our Lord sets up His millennial Kingdom.

Please also discern:  One of the clear end-time Bible  themes  which 
unfold during the days of the end is that of  unrighteousness mush-
rooming.  Scripture addresses this concern  and  the counter appeal
that God's people are to separate from the evils of our day, for the Bible
gives many righteous-living mandates.  This two-sided  coin  of both
unrighteousness flourishing  and  God's call to His people to be godly
is  SO  present, yes  everywhere  present in global culture today.

Here's ONE false teaching which fosters unrighteous living due to 
its inadequate (in light of the full Counsel of God's Word), partial-
truth appeals:  (We'll use Wayne Grudem's book title to expose the
false-hope teaching ...)

"Free Grace" Theology: 5 Ways It Diminishes the Gospel

While Wayne Grudem's argument and appeals concerning the
dangers of this anti-biblical movement do  NOT  go far enough and
(his appeal) is based on an inadequate, faulty truth-foundation premise,
we do PRAISE God for the Christ-honoring cautions he (Grudem) so
powerfully makes.

Dear pastors:  PLEASE read this book - it's excellent!

Dear pastors:  Please discern that Grudem's appeal, while well
evidenced, is incomplete, biblically speaking, and thus does NOT
carry the degree of warning it should.  (If you'd like us to send
you details on this unspecified concern of ours,  please email  
Endurance Ministries using the "Contact Us" page at  THIS LINK   
or   by sending us a note at  email@endmin.org.)

The "another Gospel" of the  Free Grace  movement seems to 
deny a KEY quality of salvation which Bible believers all acknow-
ledge:  Salvation by God (the recipients being members of
humanity who personally accept His gift) is a process!

ALL  categories of salvation (to name some major ones here:
justification,*  sanctification,  glorification) point to the FACT that
salvation is a process.  The Word of God is clear (revelation data
facts are stubborn things) : Salvation unfolds through the process
of time.  YES, there are clearly  beginning steps  of salvation (e.g.,
regeneration/new birth).  There are also explicit words of divine
revelation which speak to process.  The Bible is  clear  on this.

The Word of God is also clear that  GOD  is the Provider of salvation
and that He has chosen to provide it through what seems to be foolish
in the eyes of this world - some  "foolish" things  being by  grace 
through  faith  (saving "faith"  defined biblically!)  in God's act of
provision in and through the full Person and Work of Jesus
Christ His Son.

Because there is such full testimony to this in God's Word, we  evidence
our claim in this simple way:  The Primary Source is full of appeal on
this matter (of the process of salvation) and we simply ask that you read
it for yourselves - read God's  primary  Source for a pure, unadulterated-
by-man testimony ... read the Word of God.

God Himself promises it will powerfully penetrate to the very depth of
our beings (Heb. 4:12).  God states clearly His Word is Truth (Psalm
119:160) and that it will endure forever (Ps. 119:89 ; Isaiah 40:8)

So dear Truth seekers, consider yourselves warned about yet
another end-time false teaching ("Free Grace theology"), one
which promotes the easy-believism so contrary to the full picture
of salvation which the Word of God paints.  And because some
have applied the teachings of this movement to justify unrighteous
living before God and man, we take the time to bring this watchmen-
on-the-wall warning ... because we sincerely care. 

Indeed, the Cult of Unbiblical Grace (as outlined in blog B28;17 
above) is contributing to the fulfilling of Bible predictions concerning 
unrighteousness flourishing in the days just prior to the initial appearing 
of God's Son, Jesus Christ.

After contrasting the fruits of the flesh from the fruits of the Spirit, God 
through Paul goes on to say:

    Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man
    sows, that he will also reap.  For he who sows to his flesh will
    of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit 
    will reap everlasting life.   (Galatians 6:7, 8 ; NKJV)

Dear Father, we confess:  "Jesus is Lord!"  Even so, please come
quickly Lord Jesus.  Amen

*  Please see pages 131, 138-143 and 170-175 in our book,
    The Final Trumpet Rapture Gathering:  An Introduction   (For 
     ordering details, see our "Note" just above blog B33;17 above.)

P.S.  Read yet another  voice  (in addition to Wayne Grudem):
        Please read Nancy DeMoss Wolgemuth's devotion for Aug. 19
        (titled "A Passion for Holiness")  in her book,  The Quiet Place:
        Daily Devotional Readings ; published by Moody Publishers, 2012.
        An excellent, God-honoring appeal is also found here.

For more information about "The Cult of Unbiblical Grace,"
scroll up to blog B28;17.

We Have PROBLEMS Peoples

Do you recall that great line from the movie, 2012, the one where
the crazy charismatic guy says, "I have goose bumps peoples!" ?

I'd like to tweak that just a bit to read, "We have problems, peoples!"

Here's  Problem #1:     Click Here

Here's  Problem #2:

Our Lord Jesus outlines details of His return in Matthew 24 & 25.

     He says there will be a time of tribulation from the world, tribulation
     which will follow the birth pains/time of sorrows (Mt. 24:4-22). 
     He  THEN  goes on to give details as to what takes place  AFTER
     the tribulation (vv. 29ff).

     We believe the astronomical signs of vs. 29 are the same signs
     of which Revelation 6:12, 13  and  Joel 2/Acts 2 speak.

     Joel 2 states these signs take place  BEFORE  the Day of the
     Lord.

IF our understanding as outlined immediately above is correct, 
here's the  second "problem" - a major problem within MANY of
today's popular end-time chronologies:

Most teach the  Tribulation Period  (as defined theologically by
some)  is a part of  the Day of the Lord

BUT

~  the Scriptures never teach this (especially the "Tribulation Period"
     as defined in many Pre-millennial, Pre-Tribulational charts);
~  our Lord says the tribulation (vv. 9-22) will  FOLLOW  the birth pains.
     The astronomical signs (vs. 29)  FOLLOW  the time of tribulation,  
     THEN  the sign of the Son of Man will take place.  We believe this
     "sign of the Son of Man"  marks the beginning of the eschatological
     Day of the Lord.  Stated yet another way, for clarification purposes:
     The Day of the Lord  FOLLOWS  the tribulation and great tribulation
     periods of Mt. 24:9-22.  This period of tribulation is NOT a  portion of  
     the "Day of the Lord."

Our fair, Bible-based appeal ...

1.  Many of today's end-time chronologies NEED to be reconsidered
     in light of explicit Bible data, observations which are, in part, outlined 
     immediately above.

2.  There is an  end time view  which honors the explicit data from
     God's Word on this matter and it's called,  The Final Trumpet
     Rapture Gathering.

3.  We plead with you:  Let's go back to  Scripture  for insights
     as to end-time Truth.

Here's a Bible-based definition of "the eschatological Day of
the Lord" :

Click Here

Father God, may our needy generation look to You and Your 
Truths for protective insight second to none.  Help us better
discern we are living in the days of Noah and Lot.  Lord, help
us separate from the world while at the same time be lights to
this world as Your Word clearly mandates.  Lead us, we pray,
in Your end-time Bible Truths which You have so abundantly
and graciously given to those who are Yours.  And once again
we humbly ask that You will work YOUR work in us whereby
we are indeed  willing  and  doing  Your good pleasure.  Unto
Your glory and praise we pray, in Jesus Christ's name.  Amen

____________________

Week of 10/9-13  (B41;17)   [FB ]

Playing The Relative Language Game

Well, were you able to give Wayne Grudem's book a look over?
(see blog B39;17 above)

The dangerous, false-hope message of  easy-believism  is being
challenged today.  Praise God!

The following movies (recently  released on DVD)  also  proclaim
messages of both warning and Bible-honoring correction.  In other
words, MANY are rising up and speaking out concerning some
contemporary distortions - presented by some within the "Christian"
community - as to what it really means to be a  true-in-God's-eyes
follower of Jesus Christ.  Four movie examples include:

1.  God's Not Dead  (1 & 2)
2.  Do You Believe?
3.  A Matter Of Faith

I'd like to focus on Wayne Grudem's chapter on hermeneutics in
this blog.

The chapter titled "Unlikely Interpretations" offers EXCELLENT
insight as to interpretations which serve as examples of  incorrect
handling of God's Word.  (see Grudem's appeals on pages 119-140) *

We at Endurance Ministries state this concern (of allowing the
text to say what it says) in this way - in our book,  The Final Trumpet
Rapture Gathering: An Introduction :

"Over the past two decades while ministering on college campuses,
I have caught myself thanking the Lord for the hermeneutical 
education I received while in seminary.  I've asked myself multiple
times, "Do some of these collegians even have a clue?"  It often
centers on the issue of observing what the biblical text actually says.  
Many times I hear  truths  from God's Word that aren't there.  I am 
now convinced most of us do not  observe  the text in careful manner.  
Most have a difficulty distinguishing between when  observing  and  
interpreting  are taking place."  (pg. 43 ; emphases mine ; also see 
pp. 35-47)

Our handout featuring Dr. Millard Erickson's insights on this topic of 
relative language games also offers helpful, God-honoring discern-
ment on this crucial topic.  CLICK HERE

Precious Heavenly Father, we so thank You for Your generous
revelation to us.  Thank You for the deep insights in II Peter 3:14-18!
This we know:  You love us so.  We, in response, love You too.  Help
each and every one of us to love You through abiding obedience as
we follow in Your beloved Son's footsteps.  We praise Your holy
name.  In Jesus Christ's name we pray, amen. 

*  See blogs  B12;17  &  B39;17  above.

____________________

Week of 10/16-20  (B42;17)

A Good, Fair Question

One recently asked us if our service [ through Endurance Ministries,
including both chronological and thematic end-time offerings ] has
brought any "positive" contribution to the Church.

This is our answer:

By the grace of God, unto His glory and praise  and  toward the 
fostering of  biblical readiness  whereby His Church is better prepared
as our Savior has Counseled,  "YES, our ministry efforts have been 
a  HUGE  blessing to those who wish to be ready as our Lord has so
mandated."

For example ...

1.  Three very popular  end-time  teachings - ones which undermine
      our obedient response to be watchful - have been well exposed.
      These three positions are highlighted in the "Destructive Dogmas"
      section of our  www.CurrentMatters.org  site.

2.  We've exposed other false teachings which have also contributed to

     a)  the undermining of confidence in the Word of God;    and,
     b)  further ill-preparedness. 
     (Examples include: the faulty blood-moon appeals ; last month's
           claim by some that the end will include the Rapture event)

3.  Not only have we highlighted MAJOR problems within many 
      contemporary end-time teachings (the act of what some call
      deconstruction),  but we have also offered a very biblical, Christ-
      honoring end time position for prayerful and exegetical consider-
      ation.  You've most likely seen our proposal chart.

And probably MOST important,

4.  We have called the Church to go back to  God's Word  and let it
      speak for itself concerning eschatological Truth.

In this context, again, by God's grace, we conclude this blog by
saying  it is good to give thanks unto the Lord.

Sweet Triune God, we thank and praise You for Your loving
kindness to us.  Thank You for Your generous mercy and grace.
Thank You for You, oh God Most High.  We love You and continue
to ask that Your fruit will be produced in us as we die to ourselves
daily and walk in Your Holy Spirit.  Yes, Lord, may Your Vine be our
strength as we abide as Your fruitful branches.  [And Lord, thank
You for the clarity of John 15:1-8 in relationship to Your full picture 
concerning the consequence of failing to produce, in Your 
mercy and grace, fruit as we abide!]  Unto Your glory and
praise we pray ... in Jesus Christ's holy name we pray.  Amen

____________________

Week of 10/23 -27  (B43;17)

The  Second Seal  Of Revelation 6

The pertinent text about this 2nd Seal reads:

"When He opened the second seal, I heard the second living
creature saying, 'Come and see.'  Another horse, fiery red, went
out.  And it was granted to the one who sat on it to take peace
from the earth, and that  people  should kill one another; and 
there was given to him a great sword."   (Revelation 6:3, 4 ; NKJV)

That's all that is written, biblically (that is, here in Rev. 6), about
this second seal.

IF  the tribulation period (of Mt. 24:9-14) includes this second seal,
we could begin to ask:  "Are we in this time (of unrest) today?  Has
the Islamic tool of the dark one partially fulfilled this time when
peace is taken from the earth ?  Are the dissenters against the
current U.S. administration contributing to the worldview battle
and are these rebels actually a partial fulfillment of the second
seal?  We simply don't know for sure.  What we do need to
discern is this:

We are in the days of the end.  We have been experiencing the
birth pains now for quite some time.  We also discern we are in
the beginning days of the  tribulation period  (as our Lord defines
it in Mt. 24:9-22) given the global expressions of fulfillment today.

So here's a crucial, contemporary question:

What's  NEXT  on the  biblical  prophetic calendar?
(This 1 - 4 list below is clearly NOT exhaustive.*)

1.  Effects of the opening of Seal 2 will continue to bring unrest.

2.  The mushrooming of evil (including rebellious apostasy) will
      accelerate, even more so than we see today.

*  The revealing of the Man of Sin (#4 below) is PRECEDED by
    future-to-this-blog events:  e.g., Daniel 7:7, 19, 20 - ten horns
    appear BEFORE the little horn ; Daniel 11:20 - one who imposes
    taxes on the glorious kingdom appears BEFORE the vile person
    begins pushing his agenda.

3.  Soon-to-occur global disasters will contribute to the opening
      of the 3rd Seal where monetary downfall will eventually even
      make it difficult for many to secure food.

4.  The man of lawlessness will have to be revealed in order to
      make way for the yet-future (to this blog post)  5th Seal - 
      great persecution against God's people, including both Old
      Covenant (Israel)  and  New Covenant (Church)  peoples.

How shall we  now  live?

The Word of God has clear, protective Counsel  IF  we would but
seek it!  HIS answers to this question immediately above allow the
"T"ruth seeker sweet freedom second to none - John 8:31, 32.

Glorious soon-coming King, please help us rightly divide Your
Word of Truth  and  help us apply Your Counsel whereby we are
of blessing to our Family in Christ and lights to a dark world.  Lord,
please continue, in Your mercy and grace, to strengthen us to
meet the trials of tomorrow in such ways that honor Your
great name.  We love You precious everlasting Father, dear
Prince of Peace !   In Your holy name we pray, amen.

____________________

Week of 10/30 - 11/3  (B44;17)

Glory  Be !

The precious gift of  divine revelation  is indeed just that:  PRECIOUS!
God be praised for His abundant generosity to mankind.

IF you've  joined us*  in reading through most of the 1st Book of
Psalms (Psalms 1 - 41), we know you've experienced a multitude
of smiles through the journey.  God's amazing revelation to His
end-time Saints in Jesus Christ (as so graciously given throughout
His entire Word) is SO refreshing.

[ *  See blog B37;17 above ]

If you've not taken us up on our call to be in His Word as outlined
in blog B37;17, please reconsider.  The readings for November
and December  promise  to bring significant blessing.

God of glory, God of grace, help me Lord to seek Thy face.
You Who dwell above the earth;  You Who gave me second birth:
God of glory, God of grace, help me Lord to seek Thy face.

God of glory, God of grace, help us Lord to seek Thy face.
You Who dwell above the earth;  You Who gave us second birth:
God of glory, God of grace, help us Lord to seek Thy face.  

(This prayer immediately above can be taught to little ones in the 
setting of  song  through the melody,  Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star.)

P.S.  Personal testimony from Jon: 

Isaiah 41:8-13 has also been a most encouraging passage - one
which my beloved wife Nancy read to me just today (10/30).  God
is SO good! 

____________________

Week of 11/6-10  (B45;17)